Jerusalem

Jerusalem, as a holy city for Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Archaeological excavations show that the history of the city goes back over than 5,000 years ago. Among its 220 historic monuments are the Al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock, built in the seventh century, which stand as magnificent pieces of architecture. It is also home to the church of the Holy Sepulcher, which houses Christ’s tomb.

The city has been known by different names through its history: Urusalim, Jebus, Aelia Capitolina, the City, Beit Al-Maqdis, and Al-Quds. Jerusalem’s sites and long history presented an exceptional testimony to several ancient civilizations: The Bronze Age, the Iron Age, the Hellenistic era, the Romans, the Byzantine, the Crusaders, the Umayyad, the Abbasid, the Fatimid, the Ayyubid, Mameluk, and the Ottoman periods.

The old city of Jerusalem and its walls is one of the best-preserved medieval Islamic cities in the world. It is divided into four main quarters: The Muslim Quarter, the Christian Quarter, the Armenian Quarter and the Jewish Quarter. The old city has been home to various cultures, which is reflected in the architecture and planning of the city and its sacred buildings, streets, markets, and residential quarters. Today, Jerusalem’s living traditions continue, making the city the heart of human history.